Inhibitors of metastasis

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to methods and compounds for treating or preventing cancer. Methods and compositions provided include including inhibiting or suppressing the development, maintenance, and proliferation of cancers, including blocking or inhibiting cancer cell metastasis.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/808,966, filed Apr. 5, 2013, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to compositions and formulations comprisingantibodies, nucleic acid molecules, polynucleotides and peptides, andmethods of their use for the prevention and treatment of metastaticcancers, especially for the reduction, blocking, or inhibition of cancercell proliferation, metastasis and/or angiogenesis.

DESCRIPTION OF THE TEXT FILE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY

The contents of the text file submitted electronically herewith areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety: A computer readableformat copy of the Sequence Listing (filename:BMRK_(—)006_(—)01US_SeqList_ST25.txt, date recorded: Apr. 4, 2014, filesize 58 kilobytes).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

MARCKS protein (Myristoylated Alanine-Rich C Kinase Substrate) is aubiquitous phosphorylation target of protein kinase C (PKC) (Li et al.,Journal of Biological Chemistry 276; 40982 (2002)). MARCKS has threeevolutionarily-conserved regions (Aderem et al., Nature 1988;332:362-364; Thelen et al., Nature 1991; 351:320-322; Hartwig et al.,Nature 1992; 356:618-622; Seykora et al., J Biol Chem 1996;271:18797-18802): an N-terminus, a phosphorylation site domain (or PSD;also known as the effector domain), and a multiple homology 2 (MH2)domain. The N-terminus, an alpha-amino acid sequence comprising 24 aminoacid residues with a myristic acid moiety attached via an amide bond tothe N-terminal glycine residue is involved in binding of MARCKS tomembranes in cells (Seykora et al., J Biol Chem 1996; 271:18797-18802)and possibly to calmodulin (Matsubara et al., J Biol Chem 2003;278:48898-48902). This 24 amino acid sequence is known as the MANSpeptide. MANS peptide and related peptides are disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 7,265,088; 7,529,926; 7,544,772; 8,492,518; 8,501,911;7,918,293,870; and 8,563,689; the entire contents of each of which areincorporated by reference in their entireties.

There is a need in the art for new, safe therapies directed topreventing, treating, and inhibiting cancer, including inhibiting cancercell metastasis, cancer cell proliferation, tumor growth, and/orangiogenesis. The present invention addresses these and other needs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to methods and compositions useful for preventingor treating cancer. In one embodiment, methods and compositions forinhibiting cancer cell metastasis, cancer cell proliferation, tumorgrowth, or angiogeneis are provided. In one embodiment, methods andcompositions for preventing and inhibiting cancer cell metastasis,cancer cell proliferation, tumor growth, or angiogeneis are provided,comprising inhibition of myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate(MARCKS). In one embodiment, the compositions comprise MARCKS-inhibitorycompounds including peptides, polypeptides, antibodies or fragmentsthereof, and nucleic acid molecules such as antisense polynucleotides,aptamers, small interfering RNA (siRNA), micro RNA (miRNA), andshort-hairpin RNA (shRNA). “MARCKS-inhibitory nucleic acid molecules” asused herein refer to polynucleotides or nucleic acid molecules such assiRNA, miRNA, shRNA, or antisense polynucleotides, that reduceexpression and/or function of MARCKS. In one embodiment, thecompositions comprise one or more MARCKS-related peptides. In anotherembodiment, the MARCKS-related peptides correspond to the MH2 domain ofMARCKS. In another embodiment, the peptides are myristoylated N-terminalsequence (MANS peptide, which is a 24 amino-acid fragment ofMARCKS)-related peptides (i.e., “MANS-related peptides”). In a furtherembodiment, MANS-related peptides are selected from the group consistingof: MANS peptide; unsubstituted fragments of MANS which contain four ormore amino acids and which comprise the same sequence found in theN-terminal amino acid sequence in MANS peptide; peptides comprising asequence substantially identical to the sequence found in the MANSpeptide or MANS peptide fragment; MANS peptide or fragments of MANSpeptide with the identical or substantially identical amino acidsequence as the MANS peptide that are N-terminal myristoylated orN-terminal acylated with, for example, an acetyl group; and MANS peptideor fragments of MANS peptide with the identical or substantiallyidentical amino acid sequence as the MANS peptide that are C-terminalchemically modified. In one embodiment, the MANS-related peptides areboth N-terminal and C-terminal chemically modified. In one embodiment,the MARCKS-inhibitory compounds provided herein are antibodies orfragments thereof. In one embodiment, the antibody or fragment thereofinhibits the functions of the MARCKS protein. In another embodiment, theantibody or fragment thereof binds to the N-terminal of the MARCKSprotein or the MH2 sequence of the MARCKS protein. We have foundsurprisingly that use of different types of MARCKS-inhibitory compoundsexhibit an inhibitory effect on cancer cell migration in vitro andinhibit metastasis in vivo. In one embodiment, MARCKS-inhibitorycompounds exhibit an inhibitory effect on migration of aggressive cancercell lines. In one embodiment, the MARCKS-inhibitor compounds providedherein inhibit metastasis of cancer cells in a tumor in a mammal. In afurther embodiment, the tumor is a solid tumor. In another embodiment,the tumor is a non-solid tumor. In one embodiment, the MARCKS-inhibitorcompounds provided herein inhibit metastasis of cancer cells associatedwith a lymphoma or leukemia.

In one embodiment, MARCKS-inhibitory compounds compriseMARCKS-inhibitory polynucleotides or MARCKS-inhibitory nucleic acidmolecules. In a further embodiment, the MARCKS-inhibitory compounds areantisense RNA, siRNA, shRNA, or microRNA polynucleotides that inhibitMARCKS expression and/or function. In one embodiment, theMARCKS-inhibitory compounds are mimics of proteins or polynucleotidesthat regulate MARCKS expression, such as mimics of miR21.

In one embodiment, the MARKS-inhibitory compounds are MARCKS-related orMANS-related peptides. In another embodiment, the MARCKS-relatedpeptides correspond to the N-terminal myristoylated domain of MARCKS.Thus, in one embodiment, the MARCKS-related peptides are MANS-relatedpeptides. In one embodiment, MANS-related peptides and certainchemically modified MANS-related peptides block migration of aggressivecancer cell lines. In one embodiment, MANS-related peptides are used toexert an inhibitory effect on metastasis of cancer cells. In oneembodiment, MARCKS-inhibitory compounds exhibit blocking effects onmetastasis of cancer cells in vivo. In vivo sites of inhibition ofmetastatic disease include at least lung tissue, heart tissue, spleentissue, intestine tissue, and diaphragm tissue. In one embodiment,MANS-related peptides are used to treat or prevent cancer cellmetastasis, cancer cell proliferation, tumor cell growth, orangiogenesis.

In one aspect, compositions and methods are provided for treating orpreventing cancer comprising administration of a MARCKS-inhibitorycompound to a cancer cell or to a cell that plays a role in thedevelopment, maintenance, proliferation, or metastasis of cancer cells.In one embodiment, a method is provided for inhibiting metastasis of acancer cell comprising administration to the cancer cell of ametastasis-inhibiting amount of a MARCKS-inhibitory compound. In oneembodiment, a method is provided for inhibiting metastasis of a cancercell comprising administration to the cancer cell of ametastasis-inhibiting amount of a MANS-related peptide. In anotherembodiment, a method is provided for inhibiting metastasis of a cancercell in a tumor comprising administration to the cancer cell of ametastasis-inhibiting amount of a peptide having an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 231(inclusive), SEQ ID NO: 234, and SEQ ID NO: 235; wherein the N-terminaland/or C-terminal amino acid of the peptide sequence is optionallychemically modified. In another embodiment, a method is provided fortreating cancer in a subject in need thereof, the method comprisingadministering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of aMANS-related peptide. In another embodiment, a method is provided fortreating cancer in a subject in need thereof, the method comprisingadministering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of apeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consistingof SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 231 (inclusive), SEQ ID NO: 234, and SEQID NO: 235; wherein the N-terminal and/or C-terminal amino acid of thepeptide sequence is optionally chemically modified.

In one embodiment, the N-terminal amino acid of the peptide ischemically modified by acylation of the N-terminal amino acid of thepeptide in the form of an amide selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   an amide of a C₂ (acetyl) to C₂₄ aliphatic carboxylic acid which        may be linear, branched, saturated, or unsaturated,    -   an amide of trifluoroacetic acid,    -   an amide of benzoic acid, and    -   an amide of a C₁ to C₂₄ aliphatic alkyl sulfonic acid; or    -   the N-terminal amine group of the N-terminal amino acid of the        peptide can be alkylated with a group selected from the group        consisting of:    -   a C₁ to C₂₄ aliphatic alkyl group,    -   a linear 2-(C₁ to C₂₄ aliphatic alkyl)oxyethyl group,    -   an omega-methoxy-poly(ethyleneoxy)_(n)-ethyl group, where n is        from 0 to 10.

In a further embodiment, the N-terminal amide is selected from the groupconsisting of acetyl and myristoyl.

In another embodiment, the C-terminal amino acid of the peptide ischemically modified by amide formation at the C-terminal carboxylic acidgroup of the C-terminal amino acid of the peptide in the form of anamide selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   an amide of ammonia,    -   an amide of a C₁ to C₂₄ aliphatic alkyl amine,    -   an amide of a hydroxyl-substituted C₂ to C₂₄ aliphatic alkyl        amine,    -   an amide of a linear 2-(C1 to C24 aliphatic alkyl)oxyethylamine        group, and    -   an amide of an omega-methoxy-poly(ethyleneoxy)_(n)-ethylamine        group, where n is from 0 to 10.

In one embodiment, a method for inhibiting metastasis of a cancer cell,or for treating cancer, comprising administering a MANS-related peptideto the cancer cell or subject, respectively, is provided. In oneembodiment, the peptide is selected from the group consisting ofN-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAVA (SEQ ID NO: 1);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAV (SEQ ID No: 2);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAA (SEQ ID No: 4);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEA (SEQ ID No: 7);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGE (SEQ ID No: 11);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPG (SEQ ID No: 16);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERP (SEQ ID No: 22);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAER (SEQ ID No: 29);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAE (SEQ ID No: 37);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAA (SEQ ID No: 46); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAA(SEQ ID No: 56); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEA (SEQ ID No: 67);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGE (SEQ ID No: 79); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKG (SEQID No: 92); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAK (SEQ ID No: 106);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAA (SEQ ID No: 121); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTA (SEQ ID No:137); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKT (SEQ ID No: 154); N-myristoyl-GAQFSK (SEQ IDNo: 172), N-myristoyl-GAQFS (SEQ ID No: 191), N-myristoyl-GAQF (SEQ IDNo: 211), N-acetyl-RGAQFSKTAAK (SEQ ID No: 234),N-acetyl-RGAQFSKTAAK-NH2 (SEQ ID No: 234), N-acetyl-RAKGE (SEQ ID NO:235), and a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the peptide is selected from the group consisting ofN-acetyl-GAQFSKTAAK (SEQ ID No: 106; BIO-11006); N-myristoyl-AKGE (SEQID No: 219; BIO-91200); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAK-NH2 (SEQ ID No: 106;BIO-11002); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAK (SEQ ID No: 106; BIO-11000);N-acetyl-GAQFSKTAA (SEQ ID No: 121; BIO-10901); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAK(SEQ ID No: 121; BIO-10900); and N-acetyl-GAQFSKTAAK-NH2 (SEQ ID No:106). In one embodiment, certain amino acids are present ind-configuration. For example, in one embodiment, the peptide isN-acetyl-GAQFS(d)KTAA(d)K (SEQ ID NO: 106; BIO-11037), in which thelysine (K) at positions 6 and 10 of the peptide are of d-configuration.

In some embodiments, MANS-related peptides exhibit properties that makethem suitable for use in therapeutic applications, for example, in thetreatment of cancers. For example, in one embodiment, certainMANS-related peptides disclosed herein exhibit enhanced solubilityrelative to MANS peptide or peptides other than MANS-related peptides.In another embodiment, certain MANS-related peptides provided hereinexhibit longer half-lives in plasma than the MANS peptide or peptidesother than MANS-related peptides.

In one embodiment, the MARCKS-related peptide exhibits reduced cancercell migration. For example, in one embodiment, pretreatment of cancercells with a MANS-related peptide (e.g., BIO-11006, BIO11002, BIO10901,BIO10900, BIO11000, or BIO-91200) may reduce migration of the cancercells when cells are pretreated with from about 10 μm peptide to about200 μm peptide; or pretreated with from about 20 μm to about 200 μm; orpretreated with from about 25 μm peptide to about 75 μm peptide. In oneembodiment, the MARCKS-related peptide exhibits reduced cancer cellmigration when administered at concentrations of about 1 μM to about 500μM, about 5 μM to about 250 μM, or about 10 μM to about 200 μM. In oneembodiment, the MARCKS-related peptide exhibits reduced cancer cellmigration when administered at concentrations of about 1 μM, about 5 μM,about 10 μM, about 25 μM, about 50 μM, about 100 μM, about 150 μM, about200 μM, or about 500 μM. In one embodiment, cancer cells are treatedwith the peptide in vitro to determine the effects of the peptide. Inone embodiment, the cancer cells are derived from a patient. In afurther embodiment, the cancer cells are treated with the peptide invitro to determine if the patient is likely to respond to treatment withthe peptide.

In one embodiment, the MARCKS-related peptide exhibits reduced cancercell metastasis when administered to a patient at concentrations ofabout 0.01 mg/kg/day to about 10 mg/kg/day. In a further embodiment, theMARCKS-related peptide exhibits reduced cancer cell metastasis whenadministered to a patient at concentrations of about 0.1 mg/kg/day toabout 5.0 mg/kg/day. In a yet further embodiment, the MARCKS-relatedpeptide exhibits reduced cancer cell metastasis when administered to apatient at concentrations of about 0.5 mg/kg/day to about 2.5 mg/kg/day.For example, the MARCKS-related peptide exhibits reduced cancer cellmigration when administered to a patient at concentrations of about0.01, about 0.05, about 0.1, about 0.5, about 0.75, about 1.0, about1.25, about 1.5, about 1.75, about 2.0, about 2.25, about 2.5, about2.75, about 3.0, about 3.5, about 4.0, about 5.0, about 6.0, about 7.0,about 8.0, about 9.0, about 10.0, or more mg/kg/day.

In one embodiment, the peptide is administered by inhalation of a liquidsolution or suspension, or by inhalation of a dry powder formulation ofthe peptide. In another embodiment, the peptide is administered byinjection of a liquid formulation or suspension of the peptide. In afurther embodiment, the injection is into a primary tumor region,wherein the region contains the cancer cell. In a further embodiment,the cancer cell resides in a tumor in a mammal. In one embodiment, thetumor is a solid tumor. In another embodiment, the tumor is a non-solidtumor. In one embodiment, the MARCKS-inhibitor compounds provided hereininhibit metastasis of cancer cells associated with a lymphoma orleukemia. In another embodiment, the liquid formulation is isotonic. Inanother embodiment, the liquid formulation is buffered.

In one embodiment, the metastasis-inhibiting amount of the peptide is inthe range from about 0.1 to about 100 micromoles per milliliter. In afurther embodiment, the metastasis-inhibiting amount of the peptide isin the range from about 1 to about 10 micromoles per milliliter. Inanother embodiment, the peptide is in a formulation comprising anadditional drug useful in the treatment of cancer, or is formulated foradministration with an additional drug.

In one aspect, a method for treating or preventing cancer or inhibitingmetastasis of a cancer cell in a mammal is provided, wherein the methodcomprises administering to said mammal a MARCKS-inhibitory compound. Inone embodiment, the MARCKS-inhibitory compound is a polynucleotide ornucleic acid molecule that reduces expression or activity of MARCKS. Ina further embodiment, the MARCKS-inhibitory polynucleotide is anantisense RNA, siRNA, shRNA, or miRNA. In one embodiment, theMARCKS-inhibitory polynucleotide is administered in an amount from about10 nM to 10 μM, or from about 20 nM to about 500 nM, or from about 30 nMto about 300 nM, or from about 40 nM to about 200 nM, or from about 50nM to about 100 nM. In one embodiment, the MARCKS-inhibitorypolynucleotide is a mimic of an miRNA that regulates MARCKS expression.For example, in one embodiment, the MARCKS-inhibitory polynucleotide isa mimic of miR21. In one embodiment, the polynucleotides and nucleicacid molecules are administered together with a delivery agent such as apeptide, protein, lipid, sterol, polymer, transfection reagent, or anypolynucleotide or nucleic acid delivery agent known in the art.

In one aspect, a method for treating or preventing cancer or inhibitingmetastasis of a cancer cell in a mammal is provided, wherein the methodcomprises administering to said mammal a MANS-related peptide, whereinsaid peptide exhibits a migration index of at least about 1.5, at leastabout 1.6, at least about 1.7, at least about 1.8, at least about 1.9,at least about 2.0, at least about 2.1, at least about 2.2, at leastabout 2.3, at least about 2.4, at least about 2.5, at least about 2.6,at least about 2.7, at least about 2.8 at least about 2.9, at leastabout 3.0, or more, following pretreatment of non-small-cell lungcarcinoma (NSCLC) cells. In a further embodiment, the MANS-relatedpeptide is present at a concentration of about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30,35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, or 200 μmolar ofsaid peptide. In another embodiment, the migration period is 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 12, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, or 24 hours. In one embodiment, theMANS-related peptide exhibits a migration index of at least about 1.5following pretreatment of NSCLC cells with a concentration of 50 μmolarof said peptide and a migration period of about 12 hours. In anotherembodiment, the MANS-related peptide exhibits a migration index of atleast about 2.0 following pretreatment of NSCLC cells with aconcentration of at least about 100 μmolar of said peptide and amigration period of about 12 hours.

In one aspect, a method for treating or preventing cancer includingcancer metastasis in a subject in need thereof is provided, the methodcomprising administering a MANS-related peptide to the subject at a doseof about 0.01 mg/kg/day to about 10 mg/kg/day. In a further embodiment,the MANS-related peptide is administered at concentrations of about 0.1mg/kg/day to about 5.0 mg/kg/day. In a yet further embodiment, theMANS-related peptide is administered at concentrations of about 0.5mg/kg/day to about 2.5 mg/kg/day. For example, the MANS-related peptideis administered at a dose of about 0.01, about 0.05, about 0.1, about0.5, about 0.75, about 1.0, about 1.25, about 1.5, about 1.75, about2.0, about 2.25, about 2.5, about 2.75, about 3.0, about 3.5, about 4.0,about 5.0, about 6.0, about 7.0, about 8.0, about 9.0, about 10.0, ormore mg/kg/day for the treatment or prevention of cancer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 displays a cell count field of a negative control after amigration time of 12 hours.

FIG. 2A displays a cell count field obtained after pretreatment with 50μmolar of MANS peptide followed by a migration time of 12 hours.

FIG. 2B displays a cell count field obtained after pretreatment with 100μmolar of MANS peptide followed by a migration time of 12 hours.

FIG. 3A displays a cell count field obtained after pretreatment with 50μmolar of RNS peptide followed by a migration time of 12 hours.

FIG. 3B displays a cell count field obtained after pretreatment with 100μmolar of RNS peptide followed by a migration time of 12 hours.

FIG. 4A displays a cell count field obtained after pretreatment with 50μmolar of MANS-related peptide BIO-11002 followed by a migration time of12 hours.

FIG. 4B displays a cell count field obtained after pretreatment with 100μmolar of MANS-related peptide BIO-11002 followed by a migration time of12 hours.

FIG. 5A displays a cell count field obtained after pretreatment with 50μmolar of MANS-related peptide BIO-10901 followed by a migration time of12 hours.

FIG. 5B displays a cell count field obtained after pretreatment with 100μmolar of MANS-related peptide BIO-10901 followed by a migration time of12 hours.

FIG. 6A displays a cell count field obtained after pretreatment with 50μmolar of MANS-related peptide BIO-91200 followed by a migration time of12 hours.

FIG. 6B displays a cell count field obtained after pretreatment with 100μmolar of MANS-related peptide BIO-91200 followed by a migration time of12 hours.

FIG. 7A graphically displays migrated cell numbers obtained 12 hoursafter pretreatment at 50 μmolar with MANS peptide, BIO11002, BIO10901,BIO91200, or RNS peptide, or no peptide (control).

FIG. 7B graphically displays migrated cell numbers obtained 12 hoursafter pretreatment at 100 μmolar with MANS peptide, BIO11002, BIO10901,BIO91200, or RNS peptide, or no peptide (control).

FIG. 8A graphically displays the migration index of aggressive humanNSCLC cell line cells, wherein a higher value of the migration indexsignifies less migration after pretreatment with peptides of theinvention at 50 μmolar followed by 12 hours of treatment according tothe protocol.

FIG. 8B graphically displays the migration index of aggressive humanNSCLC cell line cells, wherein a higher value of the migration indexsignifies less migration after pretreatment with peptides of theinvention at 100 μmolar followed by 12 hours of treatment according tothe protocol.

FIG. 9 graphically displays respective cell numbers (left panel) andmigration index number (right panel) for MANS, RNS, BIO-11000, orBIO-11006, or control (no peptide) in experiments using 50 μmolar of theindicated peptide and the aggressive human NSCLC cell line.

FIG. 10 graphically displays respective cell numbers (left panel) andmigration index number (right panel) for MANS, RNS, BIO-11000,BIO-11006, BIO-91200, or control (no peptide) in experiments using 100μmolar of the indicated peptide and the aggressive human NSCLC cellline.

FIG. 11 shows the migrated cell numbers 12 hours after pretreatment ofA549 cells with no peptide or with the indicated test peptide (MANS,RNS, BIO-11006, BIO-11000, BIO-11002, BIO-91200, or BIO-10901) at 10μmolar (top left panel), 25 μmolar (top right panel) or 50 μmolar(bottom panel) of peptide.

FIG. 12 shows the average number of tumors per mouse in the left lung,right lung, heart, and diaphragm in animals treated with BIO-11006.BIO-11006 (100 μM in PBS) was administered once daily for 22 days,starting at 3 days post cancer cell inoculation, via intraperitonealinjection (50 μL) or inhalation (30 mins, Nebulizer Delivery System,Aeroneb Lab).

FIG. 13 shows the average number of tumors per mouse in the left lung,right lung, heart, and diaphragm in mice administered BIO-11006 (100 μMin PBS) by inhalation using a Nebulizer Delivery System (Aeroneb Lab)over 30 days, once daily beginning on Day 15 or on Day 4 relative toinjection of human adenocarcinoma cells (PC-9).

FIG. 14 shows the total number of tumors in mice administered BIO-11006(100 μM in PBS) by inhalation using a Nebulizer Delivery System (AeronebLab) over 30 days, once daily beginning on Day 15 or on Day 4 relativeto injection of PC-9 cells.

FIG. 15 depicts the number of metastatic nodules found in mice treatedwith every other day with vehicle control, aerosolized BIO-11006beginning on day −1 or day +3 relative to A549 cancer cell injection, oraerosolized MANS beginning on day −1 or day +3 relative to A549 cancercell injection. Aerosolized peptides (100 μM in PBS) were administeredby inhalation using the Nebulizer Delivery System (Aeroneb Lab). *,p<0.05, statistically significant compared to control group; a,statistically non-significant in comparison among the groups.

FIG. 16 shows the level of MARCKS protein following administration of100 nM MARCKS siRNA or control siRNA in PC9 cells.

FIG. 17 shows the level of MARCKS protein following administration of100 nM MARCKS siRNA or control siRNA in A549 cells.

FIG. 18 shows the migration of PC9 cancer cells following treatment with100 nMMARCKS siRNA or control siRNA.

FIG. 19 shows the migration of A549 cancer cells following treatmentwith 100 nM MARCKS siRNA or control siRNA.

FIG. 20 shows expression of MARCKS in PC9 cells by Western Blotfollowing treatment with 50 nM negative control (HiPerfect vehicle; laneA) or 50 nM miR21 inhibitor (lane B).

FIG. 21 shows the migration of PC9 cancer cells following miR21inhibition (50 nM or 100 nM mir-21 inhibitor) or miR21 activation (50 nMor 100 nM miR-21 mimic).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Myristoylated alanine-rich protein kinase C substrate (MARCKS) proteinhas been implicated previously in multiple cell processes. For example,it has been shown that MARCKS protein is involved integrally in cellularsecretion, degranulation, migration and gene expression. These studieswere based on the ability of a peptide identical to the myristoylatedN-terminal sequence of MARCKS protein (i.e., MANS peptide) to affectprocesses in disparate cell types when the cells were pre-treated withthe MANS peptide prior to stimulation. In all of these instances, amissense control peptide (consisting of a random amino acid sequence ofthe amino acids of the MANS peptide, and which is referred to herein asthe RNS peptide) was without effect relative to activity exhibited byMANS peptide.

In one embodiment, the compositions comprise MARCKS-inhibitory compoundssuch as any type of inhibitory compound known in the art includingpeptides, polypeptides, antibodies or fragments thereof, andpolynucleotides or nucleic acid molecules, such as antisensepolynucleotides, aptamers, small interfering RNA (siRNA), micro RNA(miRNA), and short-hairpin RNA (shRNA). In one embodiment, thecompositions comprise one or more myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinasesubstrate (MARCKS)-related peptides. In another embodiment, theMARCKS-related peptides correspond to the MH2 domain of MARCKS. Inanother embodiment, the compositions comprise MARCKS-inhibitorypeptides, including peptides corresponding to the N-terminal sequence.

In one embodiment, the MARCKS-inhibitory compound provided herein is anantibody. As used herein, the term “antibody” refers to a bindingprotein having at least one antigen-binding domain and includesmonoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, and antibody fragmentsand/or variants, including recombinant polypeptides, fusion proteins,and immunoconjugates. Examples of antibody fragments of the inventioninclude, but are not limited to, the Fab fragment, the Fc fragment, theFv fragment, the dAb fragment, isolated CDR regions, F(ab′)₂, bivalentfragments comprising two linked Fab fragments, and single chain Fvmolecules (scFv). The skilled artisan will recognize that antibodies orfragments provided herein may be generated from any species including,but not limited to, mouse, rat, rabbit, primate, llama and human. Theskilled artisan will further recognize that the antibodies or fragmentsprovided herein may be chimeric, humanized, or fully human.

In one aspect, compositions and methods for treating or preventingcancer are provided. Methods for treating or preventing cancer disclosedherein include treating or preventing all aspects of cancer including,but not limited to, metastasis, tumor growth, cancer cell proliferation,and angiogenesis. In one embodiment, compositions and methods areprovided for treating or preventing cancer comprising administration ofa MARCKS-inhibitory compound to a cancer cell or to a cell that plays arole in the development, maintenance, proliferation, or metastasis ofcancer cells, such as, for example, an endothelial cell.

In one aspect, compositions and methods for inhibiting the metastasis ofcancer cells are provided, wherein the method comprises administeringMARCKS-inhibitory compounds. In one embodiment, the MARCKS-inhibitorycompounds are MARCKS-inhibitory peptides, antibodies or fragmentsthereof that bind to MARCKS or MARCKS peptides, or polynucleotides ornucleic acid molecules including antisense polynucleotides, aptamers,siRNA, miRNA, and shRNA that inhibit the functions of the MARCKSprotein. In a further embodiment, the peptides are MANS-relatedpeptides, wherein the peptides inhibit the metastasis of cancer cells.In one embodiment, MARCKS-inhibitory peptides that inhibit themetastasis of cancer cells are provided. In another aspect, methods oftreating cancers using the compositions disclosed herein are provided.In one embodiment, the methods provided comprise contacting a cancercell with a MARCKS-inhibitory peptide. In a further embodiment, thecancer cell is present in a tumor. In one embodiment, theMARCKS-inhibitory peptide is MANS-related peptide. As used herein, theterm “MANS-related peptide” refers to MANS peptide or a peptidesubstantially identical to MANS; or a fragment of MANS peptide thatcontains at least four contiguous amino acids found in MANS peptide, oris substantially identical to a peptide containing at least 4 contiguousamino acids found in MANS peptide. Thus, MANS-related peptides are from4 to 24 amino acids in length. As used herein, the term “substantiallyidentical” means, with respect to comparison of the amino acid sequencesof two peptides or comparison of the amino acid sequences of two peptidesegments (e.g., segments of a reference peptide amino acid sequence),that the amino acid sequence of the peptides or segments of peptideshave at least about 75% sequence identity, at least about 80% sequenceidentity, at least about 90% sequence identity, or at least about 95%sequence identity. Preferably, the amino acid sequence of the peptideshave at least about 80% sequence identity to MANS peptide or the MANSpeptide fragment. In one embodiment, the MANS-related peptide maycomprise a peptide from 4 to 24 amino acids in length that is identicalto or substantially identical to MANS peptide and may further compriseone or more additional amino acids. For example, in one embodiment, theMANS-related peptide comprises from 4 to 24 contiguous amino acidsidentical to or substantially identical to MANS peptide and furthercomprises at least one N-terminal amino acid that is not present in MANSpeptide such as, for example, arginine.

In one embodiment, the MARCKS-inhibitory peptide is chemically modified.In one embodiment, the MARCKS-inhibitory peptide is a MANS-relatedpeptide that is acylated at the N-terminal position. In a furtherembodiment, the MANS-related peptide is acylated with an acetyl group atthe N-terminal position. In another embodiment, the MANS-related peptideis myristoylated at the N-terminal position. In another embodiment, theMANS-related peptide is chemically modified at the C-terminal position.In a further embodiment, the MANS-related peptide is chemically modifiedat the C-terminal position by formation of an amide with an amine (e.g.,ammonia). In another embodiment, the MANS-related peptide is chemicallymodified at both the N-terminal and C-terminal position. Table 1 listspeptides relevant to the current invention which are myristoylated attheir N-terminal position but unsubstituted at their C-terminalposition. Certain control peptides (RNS peptides) are listed in Tables 1and 2, and are myristoylated. However, the RNS peptides are notconsidered to reside within the scope of the current invention.

TABLE 1MANS-related peptides of the invention which are N-terminal myristoylated andwhich can be further chemically modified at the C-terminal position as described hereinPeptide No. N-myristoyl Amino Acid Sequences SEQ ID No: peptide 1GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAVA SEQ ID NO: 1 MANS peptide 2GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAV SEQ ID NO: 2 peptide 4 GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAASEQ ID NO: 4 peptide 7 GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEA SEQ ID NO: 7 peptide 11GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGE SEQ ID NO: 11 peptide 16 GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGSEQ ID NO: 16 peptide 22 GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERP SEQ ID NO: 22 peptide 29GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAER SEQ ID NO: 29 peptide 37 GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAESEQ ID NO: 37 peptide 46 GAQFSKTAAKGEAAA SEQ ID NO: 46 peptide 56GAQFSKTAAKGEAA SEQ ID NO: 56 peptide 67 GAQFSKTAAKGEA SEQ ID NO: 67peptide 79 GAQFSKTAAKGE SEQ ID NO: 79 peptide 92 GAQFSKTAAKGSEQ ID NO: 92 peptide 106 GAQFSKTAAK SEQ ID NO: 106 peptide 121GAQFSKTAA SEQ ID NO: 121 peptide 137 GAQFSKTA SEQ ID NO: 137 peptide 154GAQFSKT SEQ ID NO: 154 peptide 172 GAQFSK SEQ ID NO: 172 peptide 191GAQFS SEQ ID NO: 191 peptide 211 GAQF SEQ ID NO: 211 Peptide 232GTAPAAEGAGAEVKRASAEAKQAF SEQ ID NO: 232 RNS

Table 2 lists MANS-related peptide fragments of the invention, which canbe substituted or chemically modified at the N-terminal and/orC-terminal position. In one embodiment, these active fragments of MANSpeptide may be myristoylated at the N-terminal position as are those inTable 1. In another embodiment, chemical modification at the C-terminalposition comprises amidation, for example, formation of an amide with anamine, such as, for example, ammonia. Peptide 234 (SEQ ID NO: 234) is anN-terminal arginine-substituted peptide homolog of peptide 106 (SEQ IDNO: 106; RGAQFSKTAAK), which may be chemically modified at theN-terminus (e.g., N-terminal acetyl analog, Ac-RGAQFSKTAAK), and whichalso may be chemically modified at its N-terminus and its C-terminus(e.g., N-terminal acetyl-, —C-terminal amide with ammonia analog,Ac-RGAQFSKTAAK-NH2). Peptide 235 (SEQ ID NO: 235) is an N-terminalarginine-substituted peptide homolog of peptide 219, (SEQ ID NO: 219;RAKGE) which may be chemically modified at the N-terminus (e.g.,N-terminal acetyl analog, Ac-RAKGE), and which also may be chemicallymodified at its N-terminus and its C-terminus (e.g., N-terminal acetyl-,—C-terminal amide with ammonia analog, Ac-RAKGE-NH2). PreferredN-terminal modifications or substitutions include myristoyl and acetylgroups as well as N-terminal arginine groups, N-terminal acetyl-argininegroups, and N-terminal myristoyl-arginine groups. Preferred C-terminalmodification includes the amide group from ammonia.

TABLE 2MARCKS-related peptide sequences which may be chemically modified at the N-terminal and/or C-terminal position as described herein.MANS peptide and active MANS- Table 2 related peptide fragmentsPeptide No. Amino Acid Sequence SEQ ID No: peptide 1GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAVA SEQ ID NO: 1 MANS peptide 2GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAV SEQ ID NO: 2 peptide 3 AQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAVASEQ ID NO: 3 peptide 4 GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAA SEQ ID NO: 4 peptide 5AQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAV SEQ ID NO: 5 peptide 6 QFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAVASEQ ID NO: 6 peptide 7 GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEA SEQ ID NO: 7 peptide 8AQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAA SEQ ID NO: 8 peptide 9 QFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAVSEQ ID NO: 9 peptide 10 FSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAVA SEQ ID NO: 10 peptide 11GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGE SEQ ID NO: 11 peptide 12 AQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEASEQ ID NO: 12 peptide 13 QFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAA SEQ ID NO: 13 peptide 14FSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAV SEQ ID NO: 14 peptide 15 SKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAVASEQ ID NO: 15 peptide 16 GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPG SEQ ID NO: 16 peptide 17AQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGE SEQ ID NO: 17 peptide 18 QFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEASEQ ID NO: 18 peptide 19 FSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAA SEQ ID NO: 19 peptide 20SKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAV SEQ ID NO: 20 peptide 21 KTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAVASEQ ID NO: 21 peptide 22 GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERP SEQ ID NO: 22 peptide 23AQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPG SEQ ID NO: 23 peptide 24 QFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGESEQ ID NO: 24 peptide 25 FSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEA SEQ ID NO: 25 peptide 26SKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAA SEQ ID NO: 26 peptide 27 KTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAVSEQ ID NO: 27 peptide 28 TAAKGEAAAERPGEAAVA SEQ ID NO: 28 peptide 29GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAER SEQ ID NO: 29 peptide 30 AQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPSEQ ID NO: 30 peptide 31 QFSKTAAKGEAAAERPG SEQ ID NO: 31 peptide 32FSKTAAKGEAAAERPGE SEQ ID NO: 32 peptide 33 SKTAAKGEAAAERPGEASEQ ID NO: 33 peptide 34 KTAAKGEAAAERPGEAA SEQ ID NO: 34 peptide 35TAAKGEAAAERPGEAAV SEQ ID NO: 35 peptide 36 AAKGEAAAERPGEAAVASEQ ID NO: 36 peptide 37 GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAE SEQ ID NO: 37 peptide 38AQFSKTAAKGEAAAER SEQ ID NO: 38 peptide 39 QFSKTAAKGEAAAERP SEQ ID NO: 39peptide 40 FSKTAAKGEAAAERPG SEQ ID NO: 40 peptide 41 SKTAAKGEAAAERPGESEQ ID NO: 41 peptide 42 KTAAKGEAAAERPGEA SEQ ID NO: 42 peptide 43TAAKGEAAAERPGEAA SEQ ID NO: 43 peptide 44 AAKGEAAAERPGEAAV SEQ ID NO: 44peptide 45 AKGEAAAERPGEAAVA SEQ ID NO: 45 peptide 46 GAQFSKTAAKGEAAASEQ ID NO: 46 peptide 47 AQFSKTAAKGEAAAE SEQ ID NO: 47 peptide 48QFSKTAAKGEAAAER SEQ ID NO: 48 peptide 49 FSKTAAKGEAAAERP SEQ ID NO: 49peptide 50 SKTAAKGEAAAERPG SEQ ID NO: 50 peptide 51 KTAAKGEAAAERPGESEQ ID NO: 51 peptide 52 TAAKGEAAAERPGEA SEQ ID NO: 52 peptide 53AAKGEAAAERPGEAA SEQ ID NO: 53 peptide 54 AKGEAAAERPGEAAV SEQ ID NO: 54peptide 55 KGEAAAERPGEAAVA SEQ ID NO: 55 peptide 56 GAQFSKTAAKGEAASEQ ID NO: 56 peptide 57 AQFSKTAAKGEAAA SEQ ID NO: 57 peptide 58QFSKTAAKGEAAAE SEQ ID NO: 58 peptide 59 FSKTAAKGEAAAER SEQ ID NO: 59peptide 60 SKTAAKGEAAAERP SEQ ID NO: 60 peptide 61 KTAAKGEAAAERPGSEQ ID NO: 61 peptide 62 TAAKGEAAAERPGE SEQ ID NO: 62 peptide 63AAKGEAAAERPGEA SEQ ID NO: 63 peptide 64 AKGEAAAERPGEAA SEQ ID NO: 64peptide 65 KGEAAAERPGEAAV SEQ ID NO: 65 peptide 66 GEAAAERPGEAAVASEQ ID NO: 66 peptide 67 GAQFSKTAAKGEA SEQ ID NO: 67 peptide 68AQFSKTAAKGEAA SEQ ID NO: 68 peptide 69 QFSKTAAKGEAAA SEQ ID NO: 69peptide 70 FSKTAAKGEAAAE SEQ ID NO: 70 peptide 71 SKTAAKGEAAAERSEQ ID NO: 71 peptide 72 KTAAKGEAAAERP SEQ ID NO: 72 peptide 73TAAKGEAAAERPG SEQ ID NO: 73 peptide 74 AAKGEAAAERPGE SEQ ID NO: 74peptide 75 AKGEAAAERPGEA SEQ ID NO: 75 peptide 76 KGEAAAERPGEAASEQ ID NO: 76 peptide 77 GEAAAERPGEAAV SEQ ID NO: 77 peptide 78EAAAERPGEAAVA SEQ ID NO: 78 peptide 79 GAQFSKTAAKGE SEQ ID NO: 79peptide 80 AQFSKTAAKGEA SEQ ID NO: 80 peptide 81 QFSKTAAKGEAASEQ ID NO: 81 peptide 82 FSKTAAKGEAAA SEQ ID NO: 82 peptide 83SKTAAKGEAAAE SEQ ID NO: 83 peptide 84 KTAAKGEAAAER SEQ ID NO: 84peptide 85 TAAKGEAAAERP SEQ ID NO: 85 peptide 86 AAKGEAAAERPGSEQ ID NO: 86 peptide 87 AKGEAAAERPGE SEQ ID NO: 87 peptide 88KGEAAAERPGEA SEQ ID NO: 88 peptide 89 GEAAAERPGEAA SEQ ID NO: 89peptide 90 EAAAERPGEAAV SEQ ID NO: 90 peptide 91 AAAERPGEAAVASEQ ID NO: 91 peptide 92 GAQFSKTAAKG SEQ ID NO: 92 peptide 93AQFSKTAAKGE SEQ ID NO: 93 peptide 94 QFSKTAAKGEA SEQ ID NO: 94peptide 95 FSKTAAKGEAA SEQ ID NO: 95 peptide 96 SKTAAKGEAAASEQ ID NO: 96 peptide 97 KTAAKGEAAAE SEQ ID NO: 97 peptide 98TAAKGEAAAER SEQ ID NO: 98 peptide 99 AAKGEAAAERP SEQ ID NO: 99peptide 100 AKGEAAAERPG SEQ ID NO: 100 peptide 101 KGEAAAERPGESEQ ID NO: 101 peptide 102 GEAAAERPGEA SEQ ID NO: 102 peptide 103EAAAERPGEAA SEQ ID NO: 103 peptide 104 AAAERPGEAAV SEQ ID NO: 104peptide 105 AAERPGEAAVA SEQ ID NO: 105 peptide 106 GAQFSKTAAKSEQ ID NO: 106 peptide 107 AQFSKTAAKG SEQ ID NO: 107 peptide 108QFSKTAAKGE SEQ ID NO: 108 peptide 109 FSKTAAKGEA SEQ ID NO: 109peptide 110 SKTAAKGEAA SEQ ID NO: 110 peptide 111 KTAAKGEAAASEQ ID NO: 111 peptide 112 TAAKGEAAAE SEQ ID NO: 112 peptide 113AAKGEAAAER SEQ ID NO: 113 peptide 114 AKGEAAAERP SEQ ID NO: 114peptide 115 KGEAAAERPG SEQ ID NO: 115 peptide 116 GEAAAERPGESEQ ID NO: 116 peptide 117 EAAAERPGEA SEQ ID NO: 117 peptide 118AAAERPGEAA SEQ ID NO: 118 peptide 119 AAERPGEAAV SEQ ID NO: 119peptide 120 AERPGEAAVA SEQ ID NO: 120 peptide 121 GAQFSKTAASEQ ID NO: 121 peptide 122 AQFSKTAAK SEQ ID NO: 122 peptide 123QFSKTAAKG SEQ ID NO: 123 peptide 124 FSKTAAKGE SEQ ID NO: 124peptide 125 SKTAAKGEA SEQ ID NO: 125 peptide 126 KTAAKGEAASEQ ID NO: 126 peptide 127 TAAKGEAAA SEQ ID NO: 127 peptide 128AAKGEAAAE SEQ ID NO: 128 peptide 129 AKGEAAAER SEQ ID NO: 129peptide 130 KGEAAAERP SEQ ID NO: 130 peptide 131 GEAAAERPGSEQ ID NO: 131 peptide 132 EAAAERPGE SEQ ID NO: 132 peptide 133AAAERPGEA SEQ ID NO: 133 peptide 134 AAERPGEAA SEQ ID NO: 134peptide 135 AERPGEAAV SEQ ID NO: 135 peptide 136 ERPGEAAVASEQ ID NO: 136 peptide 137 GAQFSKTA SEQ ID NO: 137 peptide 138 AQFSKTAASEQ ID NO: 138 peptide 139 QFSKTAAK SEQ ID NO: 139 peptide 140 FSKTAAKGSEQ ID NO: 140 peptide 141 SKTAAKGE SEQ ID NO: 141 peptide 142 KTAAKGEASEQ ID NO: 142 peptide 143 TAAKGEAA SEQ ID NO: 143 peptide 144 AAKGEAAASEQ ID NO: 144 peptide 145 AKGEAAAE SEQ ID NO: 145 peptide 146 KGEAAAERSEQ ID NO: 146 peptide 147 GEAAAERP SEQ ID NO: 147 peptide 148 EAAAERPGSEQ ID NO: 148 peptide 149 AAAERPGE SEQ ID NO: 149 peptide 150 AAERPGEASEQ ID NO: 150 peptide 151 AERPGEAA SEQ ID NO: 151 peptide 152 ERPGEAAVSEQ ID NO: 152 peptide 153 RPGEAAVA SEQ ID NO: 153 peptide 154 GAQFSKTSEQ ID NO: 154 peptide 155 AQFSKTA SEQ ID NO: 155 peptide 156 QFSKTAASEQ ID NO: 156 peptide 157 FSKTAAK SEQ ID NO: 157 peptide 158 SKTAAKGSEQ ID NO: 158 peptide 159 KTAAKGE SEQ ID NO: 159 peptide 160 TAAKGEASEQ ID NO: 160 peptide 161 AAKGEAA SEQ ID NO: 161 peptide 162 AKGEAAASEQ ID NO: 162 peptide 163 KGEAAAE SEQ ID NO: 163 peptide 164 GEAAAERSEQ ID NO: 164 peptide 165 EAAAERP SEQ ID NO: 165 peptide 166 AAAERPGSEQ ID NO: 166 peptide 167 AAERPGE SEQ ID NO: 167 peptide 168 AERPGEASEQ ID NO: 168 peptide 169 ERPGEAA SEQ ID NO: 169 peptide 170 RPGEAAVSEQ ID NO: 170 peptide 171 PGEAAVA SEQ ID NO: 171 peptide 172 GAQFSKSEQ ID NO: 172 peptide 173 AQFSKT SEQ ID NO: 173 peptide 174 QFSKTASEQ ID NO: 174 peptide 175 FSKTAA SEQ ID NO: 175 peptide 176 SKTAAKSEQ ID NO: 176 peptide 177 KTAAKG SEQ ID NO: 177 peptide 178 TAAKGESEQ ID NO: 178 peptide 179 AAKGEA SEQ ID NO: 179 peptide 180 AKGEAASEQ ID NO: 180 peptide 181 KGEAAA SEQ ID NO: 181 peptide 182 GEAAAESEQ ID NO: 182 peptide 183 EAAAER SEQ ID NO: 183 peptide 184 AAAERPSEQ ID NO: 184 peptide 185 AAERPG SEQ ID NO: 185 peptide 186 AERPGESEQ ID NO: 186 peptide 187 ERPGEA SEQ ID NO: 187 peptide 188 RPGEAASEQ ID NO: 188 peptide 189 PGEAAV SEQ ID NO: 189 peptide 190 GEAAVASEQ ID NO: 190 peptide 191 GAQFS SEQ ID NO: 191 peptide 192 AQFSKSEQ ID NO: 192 peptide 193 QFSKT SEQ ID NO: 193 peptide 194 FSKTASEQ ID NO: 194 peptide 195 SKTAA SEQ ID NO: 195 peptide 196 KTAAKSEQ ID NO: 196 peptide 197 TAAKG SEQ ID NO: 197 peptide 198 AAKGESEQ ID NO: 198 peptide 199 AKGEA SEQ ID NO: 199 peptide 200 KGEAASEQ ID NO: 200 peptide 201 GEAAA SEQ ID NO: 201 peptide 202 EAAAESEQ ID NO: 202 peptide 203 AAAER SEQ ID NO: 203 peptide 204 AAERPSEQ ID NO: 204 peptide 205 AERPG SEQ ID NO: 205 peptide 206 ERPGESEQ ID NO: 206 peptide 207 RPGEA SEQ ID NO: 207 peptide 208 PGEAASEQ ID NO: 208 peptide 209 GEAAV SEQ ID NO: 209 peptide 210 EAAVASEQ ID NO: 210 peptide 211 GAQF SEQ ID NO: 211 peptide 212 AQFSSEQ ID NO: 212 peptide 213 QFSK SEQ ID NO: 213 peptide 214 FSKTSEQ ID NO: 214 peptide 215 SKTA SEQ ID NO: 215 peptide 216 KTAASEQ ID NO: 216 peptide 217 TAAK SEQ ID NO: 217 peptide 218 AAKGSEQ ID NO: 218 peptide 219 AKGE SEQ ID NO: 219 peptide 220 KGEASEQ ID NO: 220 peptide 221 GEAA SEQ ID NO: 221 peptide 222 EAAASEQ ID NO: 222 peptide 223 AAAE SEQ ID NO: 223 peptide 224 AAERSEQ ID NO: 224 peptide 225 AERP SEQ ID NO: 225 peptide 226 ERPGSEQ ID NO: 226 peptide 227 RPGE SEQ ID NO: 227 peptide 228 PGEASEQ ID NO: 228 peptide 229 GEAA SEQ ID NO: 229 peptide 230 EAAVSEQ ID NO: 230 peptide 231 AAVA SEQ ID NO: 231 Peptide 232GTAPAAEGAGAEVKRASAEAKQAF SEQ ID NO: 232 RNS Peptide 233 GKASQFAKTASEQ ID NO: 233 RNS2 Peptide 234 RGAQFSKTAAK SEQ ID NO: 234 Peptide 235RAKGE SEQ ID NO: 235

The MANS peptide is myristoylated (denoted as MA), and contains the 24amino acid sequence MA-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAARPGEAAVA. Without wishing to bebound by theory, the peptide is theorized to interfere with the fulllength MARCKS protein attaching naturally to the cell membrane andinterfering with phosphorylation of MARCKS protein by protein kinase C(PKC).

MANS peptide has been shown to provide a significant reduction indegranulation of goblet cells both in vitro and in vivo. MANS alsoaffects the rate of migration of neutrophils and mesenchymal stem cells.Degranulation of human leukocytes is also inhibited by MANS. In oneaspect of this invention, treatment of certain cancer cell lines withMANS-related peptides decreases migration of those cancer cell lines. Inone embodiment, MANS-related peptides exhibit inhibition of metastasisof cancer cells. Thus, in one embodiment, the MANS-related peptidesprovided may be used to treat or prevent metastatic cancer in a subjectin need thereof. In some embodiments, MANS-related peptides exhibitproperties that make them suitable for use in therapeutic applications,for example, in the treatment of cancers. For example, in oneembodiment, MANS-related peptides exhibit enhanced solubility relativeto MANS peptide. In another embodiment, some MANS-related peptidesexhibit longer half-lives in plasma than the MANS peptide or relative topeptides other than MANS-related peptides. In one embodiment,MANS-related peptides may be useful in the treatment of proliferation ofcancer cells. For example, in one embodiment, MANS-related peptides mayinhibit proliferation and or migration of cancer cells. In anotherembodiment, some MANS-related peptides may provide greater inhibition ofproliferation and or migration of cancer cells at lower concentrationsthan the MANS peptide or than other MANS-related peptides.

In one aspect, the MANS-related peptide is selected from the groupconsisting of:

(SEQ ID No: 106; BIO-11000) N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAK(SEQ ID No: 106; BIO-11006) N-acetyl-GAQFSKTAAK;(SEQ ID No: 219; BIO-91200) N-myristoyl-AKGE;(SEQ ID No: 106; BIO-11002) N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAK-NH2;(SEQ ID No. 121; BIO-10901) N-acetyl-GAQFSKTAA;(SEQ ID No: 106; BIO-11026) N-acetyl-GAQFSKTAAK-NH2;(SEQ ID No: 106; BIO-11037) N-acetyl-GAQFS(d)KTAA(d)K (Lys at positionspositions 6 and 10 of the peptide are of d- configuration;(SEQ ID No: 234; BIO-11027) N-acetyl-RGAQFSKTAAK;(SEQ ID No: 234; BIO-11028) N-acetyl-RGAQFSKTAAK-NH2; and(SEQ ID NO: 235; BIO-91204) N-acetyl-RAKGE.

In one aspect, peptides having 4 to 24 amino acids and which have aminoacid sequences that are identical to or are substantially identical toamino acid sequences found in the MANS peptide can be useful in one ormore aspects of this invention. These peptides are herein referred to asMANS-related peptides, and exemplary MANS-related peptides are listed inTable 2 as SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 231, 234, and 235. Table 2 also includes theamino acid sequence of the random sequence (RNS) peptide No. 232 (SEQ IDNO: 232), which is used as a control and to demonstrate that amino acidsequence order can be relevant to efficacy in this invention, as well asa second random sequence control peptide 233 (RNS2; SEQ ID NO: 233).Peptides 234 and 235 (SEQ ID NO: 234 and 235) are N-terminalarginine-substituted peptide homologs of peptides 106 and 219,respectively. The arginine can be acylated with, for example, an acetylgroup or a myristoyl group.

In one embodiment, peptides which can be useful in the current inventioncan be selected from the group consisting of synthetic peptides havingamino acid sequences listed in Table 2 (excluding random sequencepeptides 232 and 233).

In another embodiment, peptides which can be useful in the currentinvention can be selected from peptides of amino acid sequences aslisted in Table 2 (SEQ ID NO: 1 to 231 (inclusive), 234, and 235) andwhich are optionally N-terminal- and/or C-terminal-chemically modified.

Preferred independent N-terminal chemical modifications of the peptideslisted in Table 2 include N-terminal amine group modification byacylation of the N-terminal amino acid of the peptide in the form of anamide selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   an amide of a C₂ (acetyl) to C₂₄ aliphatic carboxylic acid which        may be linear, branched, saturated, or unsaturated,    -   an amide of trifluoroacetic acid,    -   an amide of a benzoic acid, and    -   an amide of a C₁ to C₂₄ aliphatic alkyl sulfonic acid; or    -   the N-terminal amine group of the N-terminal amino acid of the        peptide can be alkylated with a group selected from the group        consisting of:    -   a C₁ (methyl) to C₂₄ aliphatic alkyl group,    -   a linear 2-(C₁ to C₂₄ aliphatic alkyl)oxyethyl group,    -   an omega-methoxy-poly(ethyleneoxy)_(n)-ethyl group, where n is        from 0 to 10.

Preferred independent C-terminal chemical modifications of the peptideslisted in Table 2 include amide formation at the C-terminal carboxylicacid group of the C-terminal amino acid of the peptide in the form of anamide selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   an amide of ammonia,    -   an amide of a C₁ to C₂₄ aliphatic alkyl amine,    -   an amide of a hydroxyl-substituted C₂ to C₂₄ aliphatic alkyl        amine,    -   an amide of a linear 2-(C1 to C24 aliphatic alkyl)oxyethylamine        group, and    -   an amide of an omega-methoxy-poly(ethyleneoxy)_(n)-ethylamine        group, where n is from 0 to 10.

In addition, the C-terminal carboxylic acid group of the C-terminalamino acid of the peptide is optionally in the form of an ester selectedfrom the group consisting of:

-   -   an ester of a C₁ to C₂₄ aliphatic alkyl alcohol,    -   an ester of a 2-(omega-methoxy-poly(ethyleneoxy)_(n))-ethanol        group, where n is from 0 to 10, and    -   an ester of a linear PEG-amine, the PEG component of molecular        weight from 1,000 to 25,000 Daltons.

In one embodiment, aliphatic portions of groups such as carboxylic acidgroups and sulfonic acid groups and alcohol and amino groups cancomprise a ring of at least C3 (i.e., at least a cyclopropyl ring).

In one embodiment, the peptide can be N-terminally modified, forexample, by an acetyl group or a myristoyl group, as an N-terminalamide, such as Acetyl-GAQFSKTAAK (N-terminal acetyl SEQ ID No: 106) andmyristoyl-GAQFSKTAAK (N-terminal myristoyl SEQ ID No: 106),respectively. In another embodiment, the peptide can be C-terminallymodified (for example by an amide with ammonia) such as GAQFSKTAAK-NH₂(SEQ ID No: 106 C-terminal amide). In another embodiment, the peptidecan be N-terminally modified and C-terminally modified, for example asN-acetyl-peptide-C-amide (with ammonia) such as Acetyl-GAQFSKTAAK-NH₂.(N-terminal acetyl SEQ ID No: 106 C-terminal amide) andMyristoyl-GAQFSKTAAK-NH₂ (N-terminal myristoyl SEQ ID No: 106 C-terminalamide). These peptides can be used in the methods of this invention andto determine their ability to inhibit metastases of cancer cells.

In one embodiment, a peptide which may find use in this invention can beselected from the group of peptides which contain the amino acidsequence AKGE (SEQ ID No: 219). Such peptides include SEQ ID No: 1through SEQ ID No: 54, SEQ ID No: 56 through SEQ ID No: 64, SEQ ID No:67 through SEQ ID No: 75, SEQ ID No: 79 through SEQ ID No: 87, SEQ IDNo: 93 through SEQ ID No: 100, SEQ ID No: 108 through SEQ ID No: 114,SEQ ID No: 124 through SEQ ID No: 129, SEQ ID No: 141 through SEQ ID No:145, SEQ ID No: 159 through SEQ ID No: 162, SEQ ID No: 178 through SEQID No: 180, SEQ ID No: 198, SEQ ID No: 199, SEQ ID No: 219, and SEQ IDNO: 235. In one currently preferred embodiment, these peptides aremyristoylated or acetylated at the N-terminal amino group.

In one embodiment, this invention discloses a method of attenuating themetastasis of a cancer cell toward an increasing concentration gradientof a chemotactic agent in a fluid or tissue, the method comprisingtreatment of said cancer cell with a migration-inhibiting amount of amigration-modulating peptide and incubation of said cell with saidpeptide to form a migration-inhibited cancer cell, wherein the peptideis a MANS-related peptide.

In one aspect, the migration-modulating peptide is selected from thegroup consisting of MANS-related peptides. In another aspect, theMANS-related peptide comprises the amino acid sequence GAQFSKTAAK (SEQID No: 106).

In another aspect, the MANS-related peptide is selected from the groupconsisting of N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAVA (SEQ ID No:1)N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAV (SEQ ID No: 2);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAA (SEQ ID No: 4);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEA (SEQ ID No: 7);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGE (SEQ ID No: 11);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPG (SEQ ID No: 16);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERP (SEQ ID No: 22);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAER (SEQ ID No: 29);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAE (SEQ ID No: 37);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAA (SEQ ID No: 46); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAA(SEQ ID No: 56); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEA (SEQ ID No: 67);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGE (SEQ ID No: 79); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKG (SEQID No: 92); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAK (SEQ ID No: 106);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAA (SEQ ID No: 121); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTA (SEQ ID No:137); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKT (SEQ ID No: 154); N-myristoyl-GAQFSK (SEQ IDNo: 172), N-myristoyl-GAQFS (SEQ ID No: 191), N-myristoyl-GAQF (SEQ IDNo: 211), N-acetyl-RGAQFSKTAAK (SEQ ID No: 234),N-acetyl-RGAQFSKTAAK-NH2 (SEQ ID No: 234), N-acetyl-RAKGE (SEQ ID NO:235), and a combination thereof.

In another aspect, the MANS-related peptide is selected from the groupconsisting of:

(SEQ ID No: 1; MANS peptide) N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAVA;(SEQ ID No: 106; BIO-11000) N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAK;(SEQ ID No: 106; BIO-11006) N-acetyl-GAQFSKTAAK;(SEQ ID No: 106; BIO-11026) N-acetyl-GAQFSKTAAK-NH2;(SEQ ID No: 219; BIO-91200) N-myristoyl-AKGE;(SEQ ID No: 106; BIO-11002) N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAK-NH2;(SEQ ID No. 121; BIO-10901) N-acetyl-GAQFSKTAA(SEQ ID No: 234; BIO-11027) N-acetyl-RGAQFSKTAAK(SEQ ID No: 234; BIO-11028) N-acetyl-RGAQFSKTAAK-NH2, and(SEQ ID NO: 235; BIO-91204) N-acetyl-RAKGE.

In one aspect, the metastasis-inhibiting dose of a peptide of thisinvention can be in the range of about 0.01 mg/kg/day to about 10mg/kg/day. In a further embodiment, the metastasis-inhibiting dose of apeptide is about 0.1 mg/kg/day to about 5.0 mg/kg/day. In a yet furtherembodiment, the metastasis-inhibiting dose of a peptide is about 0.5mg/kg/day to about 2.5 mg/kg/day. For example, the metastasis-inhibitingdose of a peptide of this invention is about 0.01, about 0.05, about0.1, about 0.5, about 0.75, about 1.0, about 1.25, about 1.5, about1.75, about 2.0, about 2.25, about 2.5, about 2.75, about 3.0, about3.5, about 4.0, about 5.0, about 6.0, about 7.0, about 8.0, about 9.0,about 10.0, or more mg/kg/day.

In one embodiment, this invention provides a method for inhibitingmetastasis of a cancer cell, wherein the administration is by oral,intravenous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, inhalation, or suppositoryroutes. In another embodiment, this invention discloses a method forinhibiting metastasis of a cancer cell, wherein the administration is byinhalation of a liquid solution or suspension or dry powder formulationof the MARCKS-inhibitory compound. In one embodiment, a method fortreating cancer is provided, wherein a MARCKS-inhibitory compound isadministered to a subject in need thereof by inhalation of a liquidsolution or suspension or dry powder formulation of theMARCKS-inhibitory compound. For example, in one embodiment, aMANS-related peptide is administered to a subject in need thereof byinhalation of a liquid solution or suspension or dry powder formulationof the MANS-related peptide. In another embodiment, a MANS-relatedpeptide is administered by intravenous, intraperitoneal, orintramuscular injection, or by oral or suppository administration.

In another aspect, this invention discloses a method for inhibitingmetastasis of a cancer cell, or treating cancer in a subject in needthereof, wherein the MANS-related peptide is administered is byinjection of a liquid formulation of the peptide, and wherein the liquidformulation is isotonic, and wherein the liquid or suspensionformulation is buffered, and wherein the injection is systemic into asubject. In another embodiment, the injection is into the region of atumor. In another embodiment, the injection is into the tumor.

In another aspect, this invention discloses a method for inhibitingmetastasis of a cancer cell, wherein the cancer cell resides in amammal. In one embodiment, a method for treating cancer is provided,wherein a MANS-related peptide is administered to the subject in needthereof, and wherein the subject has a tumor. The peptides of thisinvention can be formulated using one or more pharmaceuticallyacceptable excipients or ingredients to provide pharmaceuticalcompositions useful for administration to cancer cells, such as cancercells in a primary tumor. Such compositions can be as solutions orsuspensions in a liquid, especially in buffered solution, whereinphosphate buffer is useful, when administration by injection or byinhalation is useful. Isotonic solutions or suspensions are preferredembodiments.

It is anticipated that administration of an antibody, polynucleotide,nucleic acid molecule, or peptide composition of this invention inmammals such as canines, felines, and human patients, can be effectiveif done by injection into a primary tumor region (e.g., directly into aprimary tumor, or into a margin of a primary tumor, or into a bloodvessel feeding a primary tumor) in the mammal, wherein the injection isdone at regular intervals (for example, every 1 to every 72 hours),optionally in combination with or separately with one or more other oradditional chemotherapy drugs.

One or more additional therapeutic agents, including chemotherapeuticdrugs and cancer specific antibodies, can be administered in addition tothe MARCKS-inhibitory antibody, polynucleotide, nucleic acid molecule,or peptide formulation, before, during, or after the peptideadministration. Exemplary chemotherapeutic drugs include, but are notlimited to, carboplatin, cisplatin, oxaliplatin, cyclophosphamide,dacarbazine, temozolomide, gemcitabine, capecitabine, cladribine,clofarabine, cytarabine, floxuridine, fludarabine, hydroxyurea,methotrexate, pemetrexed, pentostatin, thioguanadine, daunorubicin,doxurubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, topotecan, irinotecan, etoposide,eniposide, colchicine, vincristine, vinblastine, vinorelbine,paclitaxel, and docetaxel. Exemplary cancer specific agents andantibodies include, but are not limited to, Afatinib, Aldesleukin,Alemtuzumab, Axitinib, Belimumab, Bevacizumab, Bortezomib, Bosutinib,Brentuximab vedotin, Cabozantinib, Canakinumab, Carfilzomib, Cetuximab,Crizotinib, Dabrafenib, Dasatinib, Denosumab, Erlotinib, Everolimus,Gefitinib, Ibritumomab tiuxetan, Ibrutinib, Imatinib, Ipilimumab,Lapatinib, Nilotinib, Obinutuzumab, Ofatumumab, Panitumumab, Pazopanib,Pertuzumab, Ponatinib, Regorafenib, Rituximab, Romidepsin, Ruxolitinib,Sipuleucel-T, Sorafenib, Temsirolimus, Tocilizumab, Tofacitinib,Tositumomab, Trametinib, Trastuzumab, Vandetanib, Vemurafenib,Vismodegib, Vorinostat, and Ziv-aflibercept.

Administration may be, for example, by inhalation as a liquid or drypowder aerosol or spray, such as into the airways of a patient withcancer, which spray may form a coating on a tissue containing a cancercell, or as a liquid for injection into a fluid or tissue containing orin contact with a cancer cell prior to metastasis. Use of a mild surfaceactive agent such as a phospholipid is contemplated to assistsolubilization and transmembrane uptake of the MANS-related peptide.Administration may also be, for example, by a dry powder, preferably ananoparticulate or a microparticulate powder, applicable by sprinklingonto a tissue containing a cancer cell. Addition of a microparticulatecarbohydrate carrier to the preparation of the peptide will facilitateinhalation delivery of nanoparticulate peptide into airways andepithelial tissue areas.

A preferred method of application of the MARCKS-inhibitory antibody,polynucleotide, nucleic acid molecule, or peptide composition comprisesinjection into tissue in or proximal to a tumor, which tumor contains acancer cell prior to metastasis.

As used herein, the phrase “effective amount” or “therapeuticallyeffective amount” refers to a nontoxic but sufficient amount of thecompositions used in the practice of the invention that is effective toachieve the desired effect, i.e., to inhibit metastasis and/orproliferation of a cancer cell, and/or to inhibit, treat, or preventcancer in a subject in need thereof. Thus, the activity contemplated bythe present methods includes both medical therapeutic and/orprophylactic treatment, as appropriate, including, for example, areduction and/or alleviation of the signs, symptoms, or causes of acancer. A therapeutically effective amount of compound of this inventionis typically an amount such that when it is administered in aphysiologically tolerable excipient composition, it is sufficient toachieve an effective intracellular concentration and local concentrationin the tissue.

“Cancer” herein refers to or describes the physiological condition inmammals that is typically characterized by unregulated cell growth.Examples of cancer include but are not limited to carcinoma, lymphoma,blastoma, sarcoma (including liposarcoma, osteogenic sarcoma,angiosarcoma, endotheliosarcoma, lymphangiosarcoma,lymphangioendotheliosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma,fibrosarcoma, myxosarcoma, chondrosarcoma,), osteoclastoma,neuroendocrine tumors, mesothelioma, chordoma, synovioma, schwanoma,meningioma, adenocarcinoma, melanoma, and leukemia or lymphoidmalignancies. More particular examples of such cancers include squamouscell cancer (e.g. epithelial squamous cell cancer), lung cancerincluding small-cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer,adenocarcinoma of the lung and squamous carcinoma of the lung, smallcell lung carcinoma, cancer of the peritoneum, hepatocellular cancer,gastric or stomach cancer including gastrointestinal cancer, pancreaticcancer, glioblastoma, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer,bladder cancer, hepatoma, breast cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer,colorectal cancer, endometrial or uterine carcinoma, salivary glandcarcinoma, kidney or renal cancer, prostate cancer, vulval cancer,thyroid cancer, hepatic carcinoma, anal carcinoma, penile carcinoma,testicular cancer, esophageal cancer, tumors of the biliary tract,Ewing's tumor, basal cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, sweat glandcarcinoma, sebaceous gland carcinoma, papillary carcinoma, papillaryadenocarcinomas, cystadenocarcinoma, medullary carcinoma, bronchogeniccarcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, hepatoma, bile duct carcinoma,choriocarcinoma, seminoma, embryonal carcinoma, Wilms' tumor, testiculartumor, lung carcinoma, bladder carcinoma, epithelial carcinoma, glioma,astrocytoma, medulloblastoma, craniopharyngioma, ependymoma, pinealoma,hemangioblastoma, acoustic neuroma, oligodendroglioma, meningioma,melanoma, neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, leukemia, lymphoma, multiplemyeloma, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, myelodysplastic disease, heavychain disease, neuroendocrine tumors, Schwanoma, and other carcinomas,head and neck cancer, myeloid neoplasias such as acute myelogenousleukemias, including AML with maturation, AML without differentiation,acute promyelocytic leukemia, acute myelomonocytic leukemia, and acutemonocytic leukemias, myelodysplastic syndromes, and chronicmyeloproliferative disorders, including chronic myelogenous leukemia,tumors of the central nervous system, e.g., brain tumors (glioma,neuroblastoma, astrocytoma, medulloblastoma, ependymoma, andretinoblastoma), solid tumors (nasopharyngeal cancer, basal cellcarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, cancer of the bile duct, Kaposi's sarcoma,testicular cancer, uterine, vaginal or cervical cancers, ovarian cancer,primary liver cancer or endometrial cancer, tumors of the vascularsystem (angiosarcoma and hemangiopericytoma), hematologic neoplasias andneoplastic-like conditions for example, Hodgkin's lymphoma;non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (Burkitt's lymphoma, small lymphocyticlymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia, mycosis fungoides, mantle celllymphoma, follicular lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, marginalzone lymphoma, hairy cell leukemia and lymphoplasmacytic leukemia),tumors of lymphocyte precursor cells, including B-cell acutelymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, and T-cell acute lymphoblasticleukemia/lymphoma, thymoma, tumors of the mature T and NK cells,including peripheral T-cell leukemias, adult T-cell leukemia/T-celllymphomas and large granular lymphocytic leukemia, osteolytic bonecancers, and bone metastasis.

The present invention is further illustrated by reference to thefollowing Examples. However, it should be noted that these Examples,like the embodiments described above, are illustrative and are not to beconstrued as restricting the scope of the invention in any way.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Peptide Effects on Migration of Cancer Cell Lines

Protocol for a Migration Assay

CL 1-5 cells, an aggressively metastatic cell line derived from a humanadenocarcinoma, were cultured in RPMI 1640 media with 10% FBS, 37° C. at95% Oxygen/5% CO₂ until ready for use. Transwell plates (24-well, 8-umpore size; Costar, Cambridge, Mass., USA) were used to conduct themigration assay. The lower chambers of the Transwell plates were filledwith 600 μl of basal media containing 10% FBS. The cells (1×10⁵) werepretreated with 50 or 100 μM of the indicated test peptide for 30 min,and then suspended in 100 μl of basal media containing 1% BSA and addedto the upper chamber, and the cells then were incubated at 37° C. for 12hr. The cells on the upper surface of the filters were removed usingcotton swabs, and the cells that migrated to the lower surface of thefilters were washed, fixed, and stained with hematoxylin and countedunder the microscope. The percent change in migration was determined bycounting the number of cells that migrated to the lower surface of thefilters. At least 3 separate microscopic fields were counted permembrane (n=4).

Alternative Transwell Method

Primary CL1-5 cells originated from human adenocarcinoma lung cancer.Transwell plates with 24-wells, 8-g pore size (Costar, Cambridge, Mass.,USA) were used to conduct the migration assay. The lower chambers of thetranswell plates were filled with 600 μL of basal media containing 10%FBS. The cells (1-2×10⁵) were suspended in 100 μL of basal mediacontaining 1% BSA. The test peptide at desired concentration was addedto the upper chamber directly or after preincubation with cancer cells.The plates were then incubated at 37° C. for 12 hours. The cells on theupper surface of the filters were removed using cotton swabs. The cellsthat migrated to the lower surface of the filters were washed, fixed,and stained with hematoxylin and counted under the microscope. At leastfive separate microscopic fields are counted per membrane (n=3). Thepercent change in migration was determined by counting the number ofcells that migrated to the lower surface of the filters.

The count means the actual number of cells which migrated to the lowerchamber and counted by a light microscope at 40× magnification,presented as the mean number of cells in 10 randomly chosen fields foreach treatment.

The “index” was calculated by dividing the number of cells that migratedin the presence of peptides by the number of cells that migratedrandomly (control group). Index=control cell count/treated cells count.This calculation can reflect the extent that the migration of cells wasblocked by 30 minute pretreatment with MANS-related peptides.

FIG. 1 displays a cell count field of a negative control after amigration time of 12 hours.

FIG. 2A displays a cell count field obtained after pretreatment with 50μmolar of MANS peptide followed by a migration time of 12 hours.

FIG. 2B displays a cell count field obtained after pretreatment with 100μmolar of MANS peptide followed by a migration time of 12 hours.

FIG. 3A displays a cell count field obtained after pretreatment with 50μmolar of RNS peptide followed by a migration time of 12 hours.

FIG. 3B displays a cell count field obtained after pretreatment with 100μmolar of RNS peptide followed by a migration time of 12 hours.

FIG. 4A displays a cell count field obtained after pretreatment with 50μmolar of MANS-related peptide BIO-11002 (N-myristoyl-SEQ ID NO:106-NH2) followed by a migration time of 12 hours.

FIG. 4B displays a cell count field obtained after pretreatment with 100μmolar of MANS-related peptide BIO-11002 followed by a migration time of12 hours.

FIG. 5A displays a cell count field obtained after pretreatment with 50μmolar of MANS-related peptide BIO-10901 (N-acetyl-SEQ ID NO: 121)followed by a migration time of 12 hours.

FIG. 5B displays a cell count field obtained after pretreatment with 100μmolar of MANS-related peptide BIO-10901 followed by a migration time of12 hours.

FIG. 6A displays a cell count field obtained after pretreatment with 50μmolar of MANS-related peptide BIO-91200 (N-myristoyl-SEQ ID NO: 219)followed by a migration time of 12 hours.

FIG. 6B displays a cell count field obtained after pretreatment with 100μmolar of MANS-related peptide BIO-91200 followed by a migration time of12 hours.

FIG. 7A displays migrated cell numbers obtained 12 hours afterpretreatment at 50 μmolar with MANS peptide, RNS peptide, andMANS-related test peptides BIO-11002 (SEQ ID NO: 6), BIO-10901 (SEQ IDNO: 121), and BIO-9120 (SEQ ID NO: 219), and control (no peptide). ForMANS peptide, the cell number was approximately 40; for RNS peptide, thecell number was approximately 95; for BIO-11002 (SEQ ID NO: 106), thecell number was approximately 50); for BIO-10901 (SEQ ID NO: 121), thecell number was approximately 60; and for BIO-91200 (SEQ ID NO: 219),the cell number was approximately 65. Each of the MANS-related peptidesMANS, BIO-11002, BIO-10901, and BIO-91200 demonstrated significantlyreduced migrated cell numbers of the aggressive human NSCLC cell line(CL1-5) relative to control and to RNS random sequence peptide.

FIG. 7B displays migrated cell numbers obtained 12 hours afterpretreatment at 100 μmolar with MANS peptide, RNS peptide, andMANS-related test peptides BIO-11002 (SEQ ID NO: 106), BIO-10901 (SEQ IDNO: 121), and BIO-91200 (SEQ ID NO: 219), and control (no peptide). ForMANS peptide, the cell number was approximately 20); for RNS peptide,the cell number was approximately 90; for BIO-11002 (SEQ ID NO: 106),the cell number was approximately 25; for BIO-10901 (SEQ ID NO: 121),the cell number was approximately 35; and for BIO-91200 (SEQ ID NO:219), the cell number was approximately 40; for the control (nopeptide), the cell number was approximately 90. Each of the MANS-relatedpeptides MANS, BIO-11002, BIO-10901, and BIO-91200 demonstratedsignificantly reduced migrated cell numbers of the aggressive humanNSCLC cell line (CL1-5) relative to control and to RNS random sequencepeptide.

FIG. 8A displays the migration index of aggressive human NSCLC cell linecells, wherein a higher value of the migration index signifies lessmigration after pretreatment with a peptide or peptide composition ofthe invention at 50 μmolar followed by 12 hours of treatment accordingto the protocol. The following are the migration index values:control=1; MANS peptide=approximately 2.5; RNS peptide=approximately1.1; BIO-11002=approximately 2.7; BIO-10901=approximately 1.75; andBIO-91200=approximately 1.7. Each of the MANS-related peptides MANS,BIO-11002, BIO-10901, and BIO-91200 demonstrated significantly increasedmigration index numbers relative to control and to RNS peptide.

FIG. 8B displays the migration index of aggressive human NSCLC cell linecells, wherein a higher value of the migration index signifies lessmigration after pretreatment with a peptide or peptide composition ofthe invention at 100 μmolar followed by 12 hours of treatment accordingto the protocol. The following are depicted migration index values:control=1; MANS peptide=approximately 4.3; RNS peptide=approximately 1;BIO-11002=approximately 3.8; BIO-10901=approximately 2.7; andBIO-91200=approximately 2.4. Each of the MANS-related peptides MANS,BIO-11002, BIO-10901, and BIO-91200 demonstrated significantly increasedmigration index numbers relative to control and to RNS peptide.

FIG. 9 graphically displays side-by-side respective cell numbers andmigration index number results of 50 μmolar peptide pretreatment inexperiments using the aggressive human NSCLC cell line (CL1-5). Controlwith no peptide pretreatment gives a cell number of approximately 105;and migration index number=1.0 Results after 50 μmolar pretreatment withMANS peptide followed by 12 hours according to the protocol gives a cellnumber of approximately 45; and migration index of approximately 2.5.Results after 50 μmolar pretreatment with RNS peptide gives a cellnumber of approximately 90; and migration index of approximately 1.3.Results after 50 μmolar pretreatment with BIO-11000 gives a cell numberof approximately 70; and migration index of approximately 1.5. Resultsafter 50 μmolar pretreatment with BIO-11006 give cell number ofapproximately 50; and migration index of approximately 2. The resultsdemonstrate that higher values of migration index are associated withless migration, and less migration is associated with higher values ofmigration index. Each of the MANS-related peptides MANS, BIO-11000, andBIO-11006 demonstrated decreased migrated cell numbers and increasedmigration index numbers relative to control and to RNS peptide.

FIG. 10 graphically displays side-by-side respective cell numbers andmigration index number results for 100 μmolar peptide pretreatment inexperiments using the aggressive human NSCLC cell line (CL1-5). Controlwith no peptide pretreatment gives a cell number of approximately 105;and migration index number=1.0. Results after 100 μmolar pretreatmentwith MANS peptide followed by 12 hours according to the protocol togives a cell number of approximately 35; and migration index ofapproximately 3.5. Results after 100 μmolar pretreatment with RNSpeptide gives a cell number of approximately 95; and migration index ofapproximately 1.2. Results after 100 μmolar pretreatment with BIO-11000gives a cell number of approximately 50; and migration index ofapproximately 2.3. Results after 100 μmolar pretreatment with BIO-11006gives a cell number of approximately 50; and migration index ofapproximately 2.1. Results after 100 μmolar pretreatment with BIO-91200gives a cell number of approximately 55; and migration index ofapproximately 2.1. The results demonstrate that higher values ofmigration index are associated with less cell migration, and less cellmigration is associated with higher values of migration index. Each ofthe MANS-related peptides MANS, BIO-11000, BIO-11006, and BIO-91200demonstrated decreased migrated cell numbers and increased migrationindex numbers relative to control and to RNS peptide.

Example 2 Inhibition of Lung Cancer Metastasis by MANS Peptide orBIO-11006 Using Orthotopic Lung Injection Xenograph Model

The metastatic activity of cancer cells in vivo after treatment withMANS peptide or BIO-11006 was assessed in the orthotopic lung injectionxenograph model. After pretreatment with either PBS, or PBS+MANS,BIO-11006 (SEQ ID NO: 106), or the control RNS peptide at 100 μM for 4hours, PC-9 cells were injected into the left lobe of the lung of nudemice. Seven days later, these mice were given systemic treatment witheither PBS only (Con), RNS (additional control peptide), MANS orBIO-11006 at 50 μmoles per intraperitoneal injection once every threedays. At 25 days (6 injections) post-seeding of these tumor cells, micewere sacrificed and the number of metastasized tumor nodules in thecontralateral lung and other organs was counted. As shown in Table 3below, MANS, RNS or BIO-11006-treated groups showed no difference inaverage size of the tumor at the site of injection compared toPBS-treated or to each other, suggesting that these treatments do notaffect tumorigenesis. However, a significant decrease of metastaticnodules was noted in the contralateral lung and other organs in the MANSand BIO-11006-treated mice compared to the PBS- or RNS-treated groups;in fact, treatment with the MANS or BIO-11006 peptides essentiallytotally blocked all metastasis from the tumor to other lung sites aswell as to other organs.

TABLE 3 The suppressive effect of MARCKS-related peptides on cancermetastasis in vivo No. of Tumor Metastatic Size Lung Tumors Metastases(affected mice/total mice) (mm) Mean ± SE Dia- Group Mean ± SE (L't;R't) Heart Spleen Intestines phragm PBS 1.50 ± 0.26  1.67 ± 0.29; 1/12/3 1/3 2/3 (n = 3) 5.67 ± 0.77 RNS 1.72 ± 0.41  1.00 ± 0.40; 3/4 2/41/4 3/4 (n = 4) 5.75 ± 2.01 MANS 1.48 ± 0.54 0;0 0/4 0/4 0/4 0/4 (n = 4)BIO- 1.61 ± 0.37 0;0 0/2 0/2 0/2 0/2 11006 (n = 2)

These in vivo results support the concept that inhibition of MARCKSfunction by MANS-related peptides can reduce the metastatic spread oflung cancer cells in vivo.

Example 3 Peptide Effects on Migration of Cancer A549 Cell Lines

The human adenocarcinoma-derived alveolar epithelial cell line A549 (aninvasive cell line) was obtained from the American Type CultureCollection (ATCC) and was cultured in RPMI-1640 supplemented with 10%fetal bovine serum and 100 U/ml penicillin/streptomycin, in 75 cm²tissue culture flasks. The cells reached confluence by the third day ofculture at 37° C. in an atmosphere of 95% air and 5% CO₂ and weremaintained by serial passage.

The test peptides (MANS, RNS, BIO-11006, BIO-11000, BIO-11002,BIO-91200, and BIO-10901) were dissolved in PBS at a pH of 7.0; slowvortex mixing for about two hours aided solubility.

Transwell plates (24-well, 8-μM pore size; Costar, Cambridge, Mass.,USA) were used to conduct the migration assay. The lower chambers of thetranswell plates were filled with 600 μl of basal medium containing 10%FBS. The cells (1×10⁵) were suspended in 100 μl of basal mediumcontaining 1% BSA and added to the upper chamber, and the platesincubated at 37° C. with 5% CO₂ for 12 hr in PBS (control), or theindicated test peptides at 10, 25 or 50 μM. The cells on the uppersurface of the filters were removed using cotton swabs. The cells thatmigrated to the lower surface of the filters were washed, fixed, andstained with hematoxylin and counted under the microscope. The percentchange in migration is determined by counting the number of cells thatmigrated to the lower surface of the filters. At least four separatemicroscopic fields are counted per membrane, with a total of threereplicate experiments at each concentration. The statistics software“Prizm” was used for data analysis.

As shown in FIG. 11, treatment with each of the test peptides resultedin a reduced cell number after treatment relative to control (nopeptide) or to RNS peptide. At 50 μm, each of the MANS-related peptidesMANS, BIO-11006, BIO-11000, BIO-11002, BIO-91200, and BIO-10901demonstrated decreased migrated cell numbers and increased migrationindex numbers relative to control and to RNS peptide. At lowerconcentrations, the effect of several MANS-related peptides wassignificantly different even in comparison to MANS peptide. Inparticular, at 25 μm, treatment with BIO-11006, BIO-11002, or BIO-91200resulted in a significantly reduced cell numbers in comparison tocontrol (no peptide) or control RNS peptide, as well as in comparison toMANS peptide (FIG. 11).

Taken together, the results of the studies showed that the MANS-relatedpeptides can block migration of aggressive cancer cell lines, and thatseveral different MANS-related peptides exhibited an effect on migrationof at least three different cancer cell lines. The results of thestudies also showed that at least two different MANS-related peptideswere able to block or inhibit metastasis of cancer cells injected intomammals (i.e., mice).

Example 4 Effects of Peptide BIO-11006 in Lung Cancer Implantation

In this study, inhibition of lung cancer metastasis by peptide BIO-11006in an orthotopic lung cancer implantation model in SCID mice assessed.Human adenocarcinoma cells (PC-9) (1-2×10⁵) were suspended in 40 μL ofPBS, pH 7.4 containing 0.5 mg/mL of Matrigel™ (BD Bioscience) andinjected into the left lung of SCID mice (n=3) using a syringe with 29gauge needle. BIO-11006 (100 μM, in PBS) was administered either (a) byi.p. injection (50 μL) once daily for 22 days starting at 3 days postcancer cell inoculation or (b) by aerosol inhalation using a NebulizerDelivery System (Aeroneb Lab) over 30 min once daily for 22 daysstarting at 3 days post cancer cell inoculation. The results of thestudy are depicted in FIG. 12, which graphically displays the averagenumber of tumors in the right lung, heart, and diaphragm as a functionof the route of administration of the test compound (ip injection versusinhalation). Both i.p. and aerosol administration of BIO-11006 reducedcancer cell metastasis by more than 50% in the right lung and heart, and100% in the diaphragm. Thus, both routes of administration hadsignificant inhibitory effects on cancer cell metastasis.

Example 5 Inhibition of Lung Cancer Metastasis

In this study, inhibition of lung cancer metastasis by BIO-11006 wasinvestigated in an orthotopic lung cancer implantation model in SCIDmice. Human adenocarcinoma cells (PC-9) (1-2×10⁵) were suspended in 40μL of PBS containing 0.5 mg/mL of Matrigel™ (BD Bioscience) and injectedinto the left lung of SCID mice (n=3) using a 29 gauge needle. BIO-11006was administered starting either 4 days or 15 days post cancer cellinoculation by aerosol using 100 μM solution in PBS by NebulizerDelivery System (Aeroneb Lab) over 30 min once daily for 25 days postcancer cell inoculation. At end of the experiment, the mice weresacrificed and lungs, heart, and diaphragm tissues collected and numberof tumor nodules in each tissue measured. The results of this experimentare presented graphically in FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 shows that whenthe treatment was started at 4 days post inoculation of cancer cells,the tumor metastasis was inhibited by 60-90% in the left lung, heart,and diaphragm, and by 100% in the right lung. When the treatment wasinitiated at 15 days post inoculation of cancer cells, the inhibition oftumor metastasis was about 50% in the lungs, heart, and diaphragm. FIG.14 depicts the total number of tumor nodules found in all tissues whenpeptide treatment was started at 15 days post cancer cell inoculation or4 days post cancer cell inoculation. As shown in FIG. 14, peptidetreatment starting at 15 days post cancer cell inoculation resulted inreduced tumor nodules, and peptide treatment starting at 4 days postinoculation resulted in even further reduced tumor nodules.

Example 6 Anti-Metastatic Efficacy of Peptides

This example demonstrates the anti-metastatic efficacy of test compoundsof the invention in SCID mice bearing human lung adenocarcinoma cells.Female NOD.CB17-Prkdc^(scid)/NCrHsd, Mus musculus mice (Harlan, TheNetherlands), housed in individually ventilated cages, were randomizedinto six groups of eight mice each. A549 cells (2.5×10⁶) were injectedinto the mice via the tail vein. The control group received aerosolizedvehicle PBS; while the groups 2 and 3 received the aerosolized testcompound BIO-11006 either from −1 day before the cancer cells injection(group 2) or from +3 days after the cancer cell injection (group 3) onevery other day for 7 weeks via nebulizer (Aeroneb Lab). Groups 4 and 5received the aerosolized test compound MANS peptide either from −1 daybefore the cancer cell line injection (group 4) or from +3 days afterthe cell line injection (group 5) on every other day for 7 weeks via anebulizer (Aeroneb Lab). For aerosol delivery, solution of each testcompound (100 μM) was prepared in PBS, pH 7.0. For each treatment, 5 mLof test compound solution was aerosolized over 30 minutes into a chambercontaining four mice at a time. The mice were monitored for body weightevery other day for 7 weeks.

One group of mice (n=7) served as normal control. These were untreatednaïve mice used to monitor the health status of mice during the studyperiod. All animals from all groups were sacrificed on Day 53. Theresults are provided in Table 4 and FIG. 15. FIG. 15 compares number ofmetastatic nodules in lungs after respective administration of BIO-11006and MANS peptide on Day 53 following A549 cell injection. Table 4 showsthe number of metastatic nodules in the lungs, as well as the number ofanimals with focal tumor nodules and/or distant metastasis. Overall, thetest peptides showed substantial inhibition of tumor metastasis (70-80%)in animals administered BIO-11006 or MANS peptide starting on day −1 orDay +3 relative to A549 cell injection (FIG. 15). Moreover, the numberof metastatic nodules in treated mice was significantly reduced relativeto vehicle control recipients, and none of the treated mice exhibitedevidence of distant metastases (Table 4). There were few focal tumornodules in 7/8 of mice treated with BIO-11006 peptide starting at eitherDay −1 or Day +3 relative to A549 cell injection.

TABLE 4 Metastatic nodules and distant metastasis in mice treated withBIO-11006 or MANS No. of metastatic nodules in lungs Group Mean ± SEMRemarks Vehicle Control  97 ± 21 Multi-focal tumor nodules in allanimals (8/8) Evidence of distant metastasis in diaphragm and sternum(2/8) BIO-11006 peptide  34 ± 14 Few focal tumor nodules in 7/8 (−1 Daytreatment animals group) No distant metastasis BIO-11006 peptide 21 ± 6Few focal tumor nodules in 7/8 (+3 Day treatment animals group) Nodistant metastasis MANS peptide 22 ± 7 Few focal tumor nodules in 4/8(−1 Day treatment animals group) No distant metastasis MANS peptide 13 ±4 Few focal tumor nodules in 7/8 (+3 Day treatment animals group) Nodistant metastasis

Example 7 Anti-Metastatic Activity of MANS-Related Peptides in MurineMelanoma

In this study, the relative anti-metastatic activity of MANS-relatedpeptides administered by four different routes is determined using asyngeneic mouse model. Murine melanoma cell line B16F10 2×10⁶ cells in200 μl of cell suspension in DMEM media is injected in the footpad orbetween the skin and cartilage on the dorsal side of the ear; or byintravenous, intramuscular, or intraperitoneal injection.

Two days after cell inoculation, animals are randomized and divided intogroups consisting of n=10 in each group. Animals in different groups areadministered with MANS-related peptide by intraperitoneal (ip),intravenous (iv), or intramuscular (im) routes respectively at a dose ofabout 6.25 mg/kg. In some groups, animals are treated by inhalationroute (5 ml of 0.1 mM MANS-related peptide in PBS) using preclinicalnebulizer (Aeroneb Lab; Aerogen). One group of mice serves as vehiclecontrol and treated with PBS by im route. Peptides are administeredevery other day for 6 weeks.

Tumor scoring is done weekly. After 6 weeks of treatment, all animalsare humanely sacrificed and the lymph nodes & other tissue samples arecollected, fixed in formalin and subjected to histopathology to assessthe presence of metastatic melanoma cells. Clinical toxic signs andsymptoms are assessed during the 6 wee administration period. Tumorburden and mortalities are assessed at the end of the study period. Theresults of the study will show that MANS-related peptides inhibit tumormetastasis in a murine melanoma model.

Example 8 siRNA Knockdown of MARCKS in Cancer Cells

This study was conducted to determine the effects of siRNA knockdown ofMARCKS expression on migration of cancer cells. PC-9 or A-549 human lungcancer cells were seeded in plastic wells and cultured until cellsreached 70% confluence. Cells were then transfected with 100 nM ofMARCKS siRNA or control siRNA (100 nM) from Ambion (Austin, Tex.) byusing the DharmaFECT DuoTransfection reagent (Dharmacon, Lafayette,Colo.). After 72 hours, the cells were harvested and equivalent amountsof proteins separated by SDS/PAGE for immunoblot analysis using MARKSspecific antibodies. Western blot analysis was performed to confirmsiRNA-induced down regulation of endogenous MARCKS. As shown in FIGS. 16and 17, MARCKS protein was knocked down by approximately 60% in PC9cells (FIG. 16) and approximately 50% in A549 cells (FIG. 17) comparedto cells treated with control siRNA.

The effects MARCKS knockdown by siRNA on cell migration were determinedusing a transwell assay. Following siRNA knockdown, PC-9 or A549 cellswere cultured in RPMI 1640 medium with 10% FBS at 37° C., with 5% CO2.Transwell® plates (24-well, 8-um pore size) were used for the migrationassays. The lower chambers contained 600 μl basal medium+10% FBS. Cells(1×10⁵) were suspended in 100 μl of basal medium+1% BSA and added to theupper chamber; plates were incubated for 12 hr. Cells that migrated tothe lower surface of the filters were stained with hematoxylin andcounted. At least 3 separate microscopic fields were counted permembrane.

The results of the study are shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. Treatment withMARCKS siRNA significantly inhibited migration of both PC-9 and A549cells. siRNA knockdown of MARCKS resulted in 90% reduction in cellmigration for PC9 cell line (FIG. 18) and resulted in approximately 50%reduction in cell migration for A549 cell line (FIG. 19). Therefore,inhibition of MARCKS expression results in significant reduction incancer cell migration.

Example 9 microRNA21 Inhibition Increases MARCKS and Enhances CancerCell Migration

MicroRNA 21 (miR21) regulates levels of MARCKS in cells. In thesestudies, PC9 human lung cancer cells were transfected with 50 nM or 100nM of miR21 inhibitor or a mir21 mimic, or a vehicle-only negativecontrol. Levels of MARCKS were measured 48 hours later by Western Blot.Treatment with the miR21 inhibitor (50 nM) increased levels of MARCKS inthe cells by ˜2.5 fold (FIG. 20). These values correlated with themigration capability of the cells when placed in migration chambers overa 12 hour period. Cells treated with the miR21 inhibitor at 50 or 100 nMshowed enhanced migration correlating with increased levels of MARCKS,while cells treated with miR21 mimic showed decreased migrationcorrelating with decreased levels of MARCKS (FIG. 21). Cells treatedwith HiPerfect vehicle control showed the same level of migrationrelative to untreated PC9 cells (FIG. 21). The results of the studyshowed that an increase in MARCKS expression via miR21 inhibitionincreases cancer cell migration. Moreover, activation of miR21 resultedin decreased migration of PC9 cells.

Taken together, the studies showed that cancer cell migration, andmetastasis of cancer cells, can be inhibited by targeting MARCKS usingseveral different means of MARCKS inhibition, including MANS-relatedpeptides and inhibitory microRNAs, i.e., a miR21 mimic.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms herein havethe same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in theart to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials,similar or equivalent to those described herein, can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods andmaterials are described herein. All publications cited herein areincorporated herein by reference for the purpose of disclosing anddescribing specific aspects of the invention for which the publicationis cited.

While the invention has been described in connection with specificembodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of furthermodifications and this application is intended to cover any variations,uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, theprinciples of the invention and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as come within known or customary practice within theart to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to theessential features hereinbefore set forth and as follows in the scope ofthe appended claims.

1. A method for treating or preventing cancer comprising administrationof a MARCKS-inhibitory compound to a cancer cell or to other cells thatplay roles in the development, maintenance, proliferation, or metastasisof cancer cells.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method fortreating or preventing cancer comprises treating, preventing, orinhibiting metastasis, cancer cell proliferation, tumor growth, orangiogenesis.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the MARCKS-inhibitorycompound is a peptide.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein theMARCKS-inhibitory compound is a peptide having an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 231,SEQ ID NO: 234, and SEQ ID NO: 235; wherein the N-terminal and/orC-terminal amino acid of the peptide sequence is optionally chemicallymodified.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the N-terminal amino acid ofthe peptide is chemically modified by acylation of the N-terminal aminoacid of the peptide in the form of an amide selected from the groupconsisting of: an amide of a C₂ (acetyl) to C₂₄ aliphatic carboxylicacid which may be linear, branched, saturated, or unsaturated, an amideof trifluoroacetic acid, an amide of benzoic acid, and an amide of a C₁to C₂₄ aliphatic alkyl sulfonic acid; or the N-terminal amine group ofthe N-terminal amino acid of the peptide can be alkylated with a groupselected from the group consisting of: a C₁ to C₂₄ aliphatic alkylgroup, a linear 2-(C₁ to C₂₄ aliphatic alkyl)oxyethyl group, anomega-methoxy-poly(ethyleneoxy)_(n)-ethyl group, where n is from 0 to10.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the N-terminal amide is selectedfrom the group consisting of acetyl and myristoyl.
 7. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the peptide comprises a substitution of d-configurationamino acids.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein the administration is byinhalation of a liquid solution or suspension, or by inhalation of a drypowder formulation of the peptide.
 9. The method of claim 4, wherein theadministration is by injection of a liquid formulation of the peptide.10. The method of claim 1, wherein the MARCKS-inhibitory compound isadministered to a subject by intravenous, intramuscular, orintraperitoneal injection or by oral or suppository administration. 11.The method of claim 10, wherein the injection is into a tumor containingthe cancer cell.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the injection issystemic.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the tumor is a solidtumor.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the tumor is a non-solidtumor.
 15. The method of claim 4, wherein the C-terminal amino acid ofthe peptide is chemically modified by amide formation at the C-terminalcarboxylic acid group of the C-terminal amino acid of the peptide in theform of an amide selected from the group consisting of: an amide ofammonia, an amide of a C₁ to C₂₄ aliphatic alkyl amine, an amide of ahydroxyl-substituted C₂ to C₂₄ aliphatic alkyl amine, an amide of alinear 2-(C1 to C24 aliphatic alkyl)oxyethylamine group, and an amide ofan omega-methoxy-poly(ethyleneoxy)_(n)-ethylamine group, where n is from0 to
 10. 16. The method of claim 4, wherein the peptide is selected fromthe group consisting of N-acetyl-GAQFSKTAAK (SEQ ID No: 106; BIO-11006);N-myristoyl-AKGE (SEQ ID No: 219; BIO-91200); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAK-NH2(SEQ ID No: 106; BIO-11002); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAK (SEQ ID No: 106;BIO-11000); N-acetyl-GAQFSKTAA (SEQ ID No: 121; BIO-10901);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAA (SEQ ID No: 121; BIO-10900);N-acetyl-GAQFSKTAAK-NH2 (SEQ ID No: 106 121; BIO-11026); andacetyl-GAQFS(d)KTAA(d)K (SEQ ID No. 106; BIO-11037).
 17. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the peptide is administered in a dose from betweenabout 0.01 mg/kg/day to about 10 mg/kg/day.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein the peptide is administered in a dose from between about 0.5mg/kg/day to about 2.5 mg/kg/day.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein theMARCKS-inhibitory compound is a polynucleotide or nucleic acid molecule.20. The method of claim 19, wherein the polynucleotide or nucleic acidmolecule is an siRNA or an miRNA.
 21. A method for inhibiting metastasisof a cancer cell comprising administration to the cancer cell of ametastasis-inhibiting amount of a formulation of a peptide selected fromthe group consisting of N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAVA (SEQ ID No:1); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAV (SEQ ID No: 2);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAA (SEQ ID No: 4);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEA (SEQ ID No: 7);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGE (SEQ ID No: 11);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPG (SEQ ID No: 16);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERP (SEQ ID No: 22);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAER (SEQ ID No: 29);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAE (SEQ ID No: 37);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAA (SEQ ID No: 46); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAA(SEQ ID No: 56); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEA (SEQ ID No: 67);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGE (SEQ ID No: 79); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKG (SEQID No: 92); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAK (SEQ ID No: 106);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAA (SEQ ID No: 121); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTA (SEQ ID No:137); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKT (SEQ ID No: 154); N-myristoyl-GAQFSK (SEQ IDNo: 172), N-myristoyl-GAQFS (SEQ ID No: 191), N-myristoyl-GAQF (SEQ IDNo: 211), N-acetyl-RGAQFSKTAAK (SEQ ID No: 234),N-acetyl-RGAQFSKTAAK-NH2 (SEQ ID No: 234), N-acetyl-RAKGE (SEQ ID NO:235), and a combination thereof.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein thepeptide is N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAK (SEQ ID No: 106).
 23. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the administration is by inhalation of a liquidsolution or suspension or dry powder formulation of the peptide.
 24. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the administration is by injection of aliquid formulation of the peptide.
 25. The method of claim 21, whereinthe formulation comprises an additional drug useful in the treatment ofcancer.
 26. A method of treating or preventing cancer in a subject inneed thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject atherapeutically effective amount of a MARCKS-inhibitory compound. 27.The method of claim 26, wherein the MARCKS-inhibitory compound is apeptide, a polynucleotide, a nucleic acid molecule, or an antibody. 28.The method of claim 27, wherein the MARCKS-inhibitory compound is anantisense RNA, siRNA, shRNA, or miRNA that inhibits MARCKS expression.29. The method of claim 27, where the MARCKs inhibitory compound is anantibody or antibody fragment that inhibits the functions of the MARCKSprotein.
 30. The method of claim 27, where the MARCKS inhibitorycompound is an antibody or antibody fragment that is directed at theN-terminal of the MARCKS protein or the MH2 sequence of the MARCKSprotein.
 31. The method of claim 27, wherein the peptide has an aminoacid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQID NO: 231, SEQ ID NO: 234, and SEQ ID NO: 235; wherein the N-terminaland/or C-terminal amino acid of the peptide sequence is optionallychemically modified.
 32. A method of treating cancer in a subject inneed thereof, the method comprising administering a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a peptide selected from the group consisting ofN-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAVA (SEQ ID No: 1);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAAV (SEQ ID No: 2);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEAA (SEQ ID No: 4);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGEA (SEQ ID No: 7);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPGE (SEQ ID No: 11);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERPG (SEQ ID No: 16);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAERP (SEQ ID No: 22);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAER (SEQ ID No: 29);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAAE (SEQ ID No: 37);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAAA (SEQ ID No: 46); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEAA(SEQ ID No: 56); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGEA (SEQ ID No: 67);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKGE (SEQ ID No: 79); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAKG (SEQID No: 92); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAAK (SEQ ID No: 106);N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTAA (SEQ ID No: 121); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKTA (SEQ ID No:137); N-myristoyl-GAQFSKT (SEQ ID No: 154); N-myristoyl-GAQFSK (SEQ IDNo: 172), N-myristoyl-GAQFS (SEQ ID No: 191), N-myristoyl-GAQF (SEQ IDNo: 211), N-acetyl-RGAQFSKTAAK (SEQ ID No: 234),N-acetyl-RGAQFSKTAAK-NH2 (SEQ ID No: 234), N-acetyl-RAKGE (SEQ ID NO:235), and a combination thereof.
 33. A method for inhibiting metastasisof a cancer cell in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal apeptide, wherein said peptide exhibits a migration index of at leastabout 1.5 following pretreatment of NSCLC cells with a concentration of50 μmol of said peptide and a migration period of 12 hours.
 34. A methodfor inhibiting metastasis of a cancer cell in a mammal comprisingadministering to said mammal a peptide, wherein said peptide exhibits amigration index of at least about 2.0 following pretreatment of NSCLCcells with a concentration of 100 μmol of said peptide and a migrationperiod of 12 hours.